AS WESTS Tigers and St George Illawarra went to war over his signature late last year, Tim Moltzen entered secret negotiations with NSW Rugby that could result in the classy utility switching codes in 2013.
With Moltzen preparing for Friday night's grudge match between the merged outfits, The Daily Telegraph can reveal his agent opened talks with Waratahs officials last October as a fall-back option had the dispute threatened the 23-year-old's NRL future.
St George Illawarra eventually chose not to enforce their three-year deal with Moltzen, who'd been given permission by the Tigers to depart despite being contracted at Concord until the end of 2012.
But while Dragons CEO Peter Doust consulted his lawyers, Moltzen's manager Martin Tauber was canvassing interest from Waratahs boss Jason Allen.
NSWRU insiders yesterday confirmed they'd held talks with Moltzen's camp as the saga erupted, looking at the NRL star as a potential replacement for Kurtley Beale at fullback.
Although the convert talks have not progressed recently, Waratahs officials have not shut the door on recruiting the NSW Country Origin representative if they could afford him.
The development comes as Wests coach Tim Sheens repeatedly refused to discuss his halfback's daunting trip to Kogarah, while Tigers skipper Robbie Farah conceded his teammate could have handled the issue better.
"It's been discussed for weeks and weeks and weeks and I've answered it the same way," Sheens said.
"It's not something we want to talk about at the moment. I'm not going to add fuel to the fire. It's just ridiculous the way you guys (the media) go on about it.
"It was the same in round one with the Gibbs and Fifita thing which fizzled out. And last week with Manly which fizzled out."
Farah also labelled the hype a "beat-up", but later revealed Moltzen had privately admitted he could have handled the about-face better.
"He just might need some extra security to get out (of Kogarah)," Farah said.
"We muck around with Moltz about it. We give him a bit of stick about it … the way it got played out.
"He knows he probably could've handled things a bit better at the time. It's all been done and dusted and you get on with it.
"As footy players do, you give each other a bit of stick.
"I know, having spoken to Moltz, he knows he could've handled it a bit better.
"But it's all happened, it's all been done. I'd rather us not talk about it any more."
Despite the fact Doust is still entertaining legal action, senior Dragons Ben Hornby and Nathan Fien also played down any personal spite toward Moltzen.
"What's done is done," Fien said. "Obviously he's got great mates over there (at the Tigers) and made his decision. I've got nothing against him.
"Rugby league is that tough, if you get caught up in the niggle or stuff like this off the field it distracts you from the job."
Gareth Ellis and Beau Scott remain in doubt for their respective teams, with badly corked legs.
With Moltzen preparing for Friday night's grudge match between the merged outfits, The Daily Telegraph can reveal his agent opened talks with Waratahs officials last October as a fall-back option had the dispute threatened the 23-year-old's NRL future.
St George Illawarra eventually chose not to enforce their three-year deal with Moltzen, who'd been given permission by the Tigers to depart despite being contracted at Concord until the end of 2012.
But while Dragons CEO Peter Doust consulted his lawyers, Moltzen's manager Martin Tauber was canvassing interest from Waratahs boss Jason Allen.
NSWRU insiders yesterday confirmed they'd held talks with Moltzen's camp as the saga erupted, looking at the NRL star as a potential replacement for Kurtley Beale at fullback.
Although the convert talks have not progressed recently, Waratahs officials have not shut the door on recruiting the NSW Country Origin representative if they could afford him.
The development comes as Wests coach Tim Sheens repeatedly refused to discuss his halfback's daunting trip to Kogarah, while Tigers skipper Robbie Farah conceded his teammate could have handled the issue better.
"It's been discussed for weeks and weeks and weeks and I've answered it the same way," Sheens said.
"It's not something we want to talk about at the moment. I'm not going to add fuel to the fire. It's just ridiculous the way you guys (the media) go on about it.
"It was the same in round one with the Gibbs and Fifita thing which fizzled out. And last week with Manly which fizzled out."
Farah also labelled the hype a "beat-up", but later revealed Moltzen had privately admitted he could have handled the about-face better.
"He just might need some extra security to get out (of Kogarah)," Farah said.
"We muck around with Moltz about it. We give him a bit of stick about it … the way it got played out.
"He knows he probably could've handled things a bit better at the time. It's all been done and dusted and you get on with it.
"As footy players do, you give each other a bit of stick.
"I know, having spoken to Moltz, he knows he could've handled it a bit better.
"But it's all happened, it's all been done. I'd rather us not talk about it any more."
Despite the fact Doust is still entertaining legal action, senior Dragons Ben Hornby and Nathan Fien also played down any personal spite toward Moltzen.
"What's done is done," Fien said. "Obviously he's got great mates over there (at the Tigers) and made his decision. I've got nothing against him.
"Rugby league is that tough, if you get caught up in the niggle or stuff like this off the field it distracts you from the job."
Gareth Ellis and Beau Scott remain in doubt for their respective teams, with badly corked legs.
